senate bill 2659

Hawaii Governor David Ige has signed into law a bill that establishes a pilot program allowing for the cultivation and production of industrial hemp. The signing comes roughly two months after the measure was approved unanimously by the state’s House and Senate.

Specifically,Senate Bill 2659 calls for the creation of an industrial hemp pilot program that allows farmers who receive a license from the Board of Agriculture to cultivate and produce hemp for agricultural and academic research. The measure provides funding to the Board of Agriculture to help facilitate the program.

A bill to establish a pilot program allowing for the cultivation and production of industrial hemp has been given unanimous approval by the state’s House Finance Committee, roughly a month after the measure was unanimously passed by the state’s full Senate.

Senate Bill 2659 would create an industrial hemp pilot program that would allow farmers who receive a license from the Board of Agriculture to conduct agricultural and academic research on the cultivation of industrial hemp and the “distribution of its seed”. The measure would also provide the funding for the Board of Agriculture’s staff to help with the program.